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CNET Editors' review
At long last, Facebook as a universal app is finally here and if you're an iPhone or iPad user looking to browse the popular social site, the app is better than ever. On the iPad specifically, it might be the best platform for browsing the site available.
Now a universal app for both iPhone and iPad, Facebook offers a fun and fast way to browse through friends' pages, statuses, photos, and more. The interface is fairly sparse, but makes it easy to get exactly where you want to go on the site quickly. Across the top you have a button to open the navigation sidebar, one to look at friend requests, a chat bubble for messages, and a globe for notifications. To get to the navigation sidebar, you can either hit the button or simply swipe your finger to the right. On the sidebar you have all the same functions that you would on the Web site, letting you touch to browse the News Feed, Messages, Nearby check-ins, events, groups, and any Facebook apps you might use (each of which can be used on the iPad). Nearby check-ins in particular is much better in this update, letting you see a map of where your friends have checked in, with a list of recent check-ins you can browse on the left.
One of the best things about Facebook on the iPad is how easy and fast it is to browse photos. Just tap on a friend's name and you quickly get all of his photo folders. From there you can just tap on a folder and browse quickly through all his photos. Alternatively, you can view a photo full-screen and just swipe to move on to the next picture or you can touch a strip across the bottom (iPad only) to jump between photos. To go back to folder view, you can simply do a pinch gesture and the photo has a collapse animation to smoothly deliver you back to the folder. You also can quickly upload a photo from your library or snap a new picture for upload on your iPhone or iPad 2. All of these elements are laid out to make your most-used actions on Facebook both easy-to-use and fast.
Overall, with an extremely intuitive interface, touch-screen controls that take advantage of the larger screen real estate on the iPad, and all the functionality you get on the Web site, the latest version of Facebook for iOS is better than ever. On the iPad, it might even be the best platform for browsing the site--even above your computer. If you have an iOS device and use Facebook, this app is a must-download.
Facebook for iPad
Publisher's Description
From Facebook:
Facebook for iPhone and iPadFacebook for iPadWith high-res photos, games, chat and more, now you can get the best of Facebookon your iPad.- Enjoy bigger, better photos: Your photos are high-res and easy to flip through, like a real photo album- Navigate anywhere, fast: Just tap, slide or pinch to move from one screen to another- Play games on the go: Access your favorite Facebook apps and games, wherever you are- Focus on what matters: Zoom in on your friends' photos, updates and stories- Never lose your place: Share a photo, update your status or send a message without leaving News Feed- See who's nearby: Check out the Nearby map to see what your friends are up toFacebook for iPhoneFacebook for iPhone lets you stay connected and share with friends on the go. Start a chat, keep up with friends' photos and status updates, look up a phone number, upload photos to Facebook and moreright from your iPhone.What's New in Version 4With improved search and browsing, the facebook.com features you use most are now just a touch away. Its a faster, fuller Facebook for iPhone.- Games & Apps: Play games and access your favorite apps on the go- Navigation: Send a message or see your notifications from any screen, and swipe to browse Facebook without losing your place in News Feed- Bookmarks: Your groups, pages and apps are all in your left-hand menu, and the ones you use most are right on top- Search: Search for anything on Facebookpeople, apps, pages and morewithout having to click around or switch views- Security: Weve added a few updates to make the app more secure
What's new in this version: - Access to Mobile Timeline on iPhone (if you already have a timeline). iPad support coming soon. Get your own timeline here: fb.me/tml - Access to friend lists, subscribers and subscriptions- Faster, better performance- Photos are easier to view, upload and comment on
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 19 votes
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Current version:
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"Simply does not work"
Version: Facebook 4.0
Pros
Nice idea that we all hoped Facebook would do
Cons
First, I have the iPad I. I installed the app, then did the delete-reinstall routine that Facebook quixotically requires. Got the app working. And as soon as I am doing anything in the app, navigating, entering status, checking in, the application hangs.
For Fcebook, Safari is much faster and much more able. Until or unless is application gets to the point where it can challenge Fascebook on Mobile Safari, it is a waste of space on the iPad.Summary
Very nice idea in theory, but constant crashes make this a "no."
Until or unless is application gets to the point where it can challenge Fascebook on Mobile Safari, it is a waste of space on the iPad. -
"Facebook love <3"
Version: Facebook 4.0
Pros
-Really cool design
-Easy to follow friends
-Lets me look at my FB whenever I wantCons
-Photo viewing and chatting functions act funky sometimes
Summary
It's facebook for your iPhone. What can be better than that? Plus, it's free so you can't really complain. I'm so glad that they made an app for it. I can now check on my account whenever I want, which is both good and bad. (Bad because now I'm on it more than ever before). This app is perfect if you're an FB junkie. Just wish it wouldn't act so weird sometimes.
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"Useful facebook app, but needs to work on the bugs"
Version: Facebook 4.0
Pros
It's a good app to look at when you're on the go. Gives you easy access to your facebook account and has a sleek design.
Cons
There are some bugs that can get annoying. The chat/message system and photo viewing features can definitely be worked on. The app also crashes from time to time.
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"below expectations"
Version: Facebook 3.4
Pros
friendlist with phone details
push
mobilityCons
push not upto mark
No fluid updates- cache comments
crashes at least once a day
crashes if switches off wifiSummary
If it's from official facebook.com I expect reliable app. Unfortunately it is not. Except few obvious advantages, this apps disappoints me everyday. Using web version now.
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"ok but apple apps can be alot better"
Version: Facebook 3.4
Pros
user friendly
Cons
need apple logo...whenever something updates on facebook through i phone
Summary
can be better
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"The app, while great, doesn't usually work"
Version: Facebook 3.4
Pros
The app is well designed, the features included (other than chat) work wonderfully and the design is attractive
Cons
I have to launch the app six times in order for it to finally work (it crashes the other five). The chat and photos integrations are very buggy, along with most every other feature on the app
Summary
This app is beyond frustrating, but it beats the mobile site
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"Works for being on the run"
Version: Facebook 3.4
Pros
Ability to access basic facebook functionality
Cons
Could use MORE functionality
Summary
A should have if you use FaceBook
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"Better off using your desktop"
Version: Facebook 3.4
Pros
Can't think of any
Cons
Still pretty limited
Summary
Can take or leave it
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"This is the worst update so far!!!"
Version: Facebook 3.4
Pros
The new features seem amazing and some times when they work make an facebook experience feel better or more similar to the computer version
Cons
It is extremely unstable, bugs all over the app.
The chat/message system its all buggy and incongruent.
It crashes all the time, and fails on logging in to the chat and to keep it updated, while the messages fail to go the chat or viceversa .Summary
This update needs to be looken upon more throughly before a new release. Do NOT update to this version unless you want to have the worst experience in facebook and feel frustration all the time.
Come on Facebook, I know you can do much better than this.
If I could I would give it a negative 3 stars!! -
"Absolutely amazing!"
Version: Facebook 3.4
Pros
Everything.
Cons
You cant delete friends using this mobile version.
Summary
Hands down this one ranks as top 3 iphone or mobile app.
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